OLD OXFORD CUSTOMS.

An exchange contains some interesting notes about Oxford as it was over one hundred and fifty years ago. These notes have as their basis a small book, printed at that university in 1721, containing the laws of that institution as they then stood.

The title page candidly informs us that the contents are designed "for the use of the collegiate youth," a design which we sincerely hope was realized in fact. In the first place, we learn that the academic year was divided into four terms, instead of three, as is generally the custom in this country. College opened on the tenth of October and closed for the year on Monday next after the seventh of July, at which time something like our present Commencement exercises took place.

The student's age at entrance appears to have been a matter of no consideration; if, however, he was more than sixteen years old, he was required to subscribe to the Articles of faith, as set forth in the Prayer Book, to "acknowledge the supremacy of his Royal Majesty" and upon oath, to observe the laws, privileges and customs of the University. We learn further that no student was allowed to board in a private family, but on the contrary that each and every one was enjoined by a heavy penalty to be settled in some college or hall within one week from his entrance.

The lecturers or readers, as they are called, addressed the students two hours each week on their respective subjects. At all such lectures the hearers were supposed to take notes.

The next section contains some admonitions to the readers themselves. It says :-Inasmuch as the task imposed upon the students often proves too difficult to be mastered unless the pen is called upon to aid the memory, it is enacted, that the lecturers shall make as little haste as possible in their reading; -that they shall so enunciate each word that the hearers may easily take them down in writing. After the reading is over the Professors shall stop for some time in the recitation rooms and if any scholar shall wish to object to anything they have read, or shall be in doubt on any point, they shall listen to him kindly, and shall explain away his doubts and difficulties."

Futher it is added "that no student shall take his seat or place by running hither and thither or by walking about, but that all shall compose themselves in modesty and silence to listen to the reader.

Library laws were very strict-heavy penalties were attached to any injury of the books and in addition the student on entering the Library for the first time made a solemn oath not to steal, tear or deface any of the volumes.

Students were also not allowed to loiter on the college grounds, to attend the courts of justice, to be outside their rooms after nine P. M. or to resort to any shops in which "wine or any other drink or herba Nicotina sive Tobacco is kept for sale. The infringement of these rules was punished by imprisonment, chastisement or suspension.

On reading over these notes we see in the old customs especially in that which relates to instruction, much which resembles our own university of today with its elective and lecture system and consequent note books. Were some of those old English rules in force here today how much easier would note taking become. There are but few lecturers at present who pay as much attention to their method of lecturing as that important feature demands. There is much else in them that is good, many respects wherein we might well afford to imitate our ancestors.